Graham uses her playoff experience to lead Blackhawk

Saturday

AMBRIDGE — In case anyone had forgotten about her with so many freshmen grabbing the headlines, Blackhawk junior Alexis Graham offered a reminder that she’s still a big part of the team.

Graham, the lone returning starter from last year’s WPIAL Class AAA title team, scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Cougars over archnemesis New Castle 57-44 in a quarterfinal game Saturday at Ambridge. The win moves Blackhawk one step away from a chance to defend its title.

Blackhawk, the third seed, will play second-seeded South Park Wednesday for the right to go to the A.J. Palumbo Center next weekend.

New Castle scored the game’s first six points, but Blackhawk battled back to take an 8-6 lead at the end of the period. The rally was punctuated by Graham’s 3-pointer, a new weapon in the post player’s arsenal following a summer of playing guard on her AAU team.

Graham then contributed six points to the Cougars’ 20-point second quarter — the last two coming on a late layup that gave Blackhawk a commanding 28-14 lead.

With point guard Chassidy Omogrosso picking up two fouls in the first two minutes and getting plenty of attention from the New Castle defense after her 36-point effort on Wednesday, Graham knew she’d need a big game. Her experience as a starter on last year’s title team was a big boost.

“I knew I had to step up,” she said. “I mean, it’s the playoffs. It’s all or nothing now. Even if it’s close and people are getting frazzled, it’s knowing to stay calm under those conditions.”

Though Blackhawk was never really threatened the rest of the way — the closest New Castle got after halftime was nine points with 2:30 left in the game — it never really got comfortable either. Every time it seemed like the Cougars were going to put away the Red Hurricane, New Castle had an answer.

“They’ve always been a tough competitor,” said Graham. “You love to play a team that has as much heart as you.”

Blackhawk had plenty of answers, too.

Jamie Emge, a junior known mostly for her defense, contributed 10 points, including a big 3-pointer after New Castle had trimmed the deficit to 10 early in the fourth. Of course, there was a significant contribution by a freshman as well; Bridgette Shaffer had 15 points and often handled the ball when Omogrosso was forced to the bench.

Blackhawk was a bit of a mystery when the season started. Graham even admitted to some bouts of skepticism with so much youth around the team.

The Cougars aren’t a mystery any more. The only unknown now is if they can finish their remarkable run.

“I thought we’d be able to make it far,” said Graham. “I don’t know if I thought exactly right back to the Palumbo this year ... maybe a little bit of doubt. But right now, we’re in a good spot, and we’re just going to keep going.”

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